Poly(L-co-D,L-lactic acid-co-trimethylene carbonate) for extrusion-based 3D printing: Comprehensive characterization and cytocompatibility assessment

Abstract

Extrusion-based 3D printing is a well-established material processing technique that has shown promise in employing a variety of polymers. Poly(lactic acid) is the most studied and widely used raw material in 3D printing, which can be modified by copolymerization with trimethylene carbonate (TMC), for tissue engineering applications. In this study, the aim was to explore the characterization of Poly(L-co-D,L-lactic acid-co-trimethylene carbonate) (PLDLA-TMC) at different ratios (60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10), focusing on their physicochemical, thermal, and rheological characterization, as well as their cytocompatibility. The results demonstrated shear-thinning behavior and highlighted the influence of TMC content on viscoelastic properties. The printing speed of 4 mm s−1 allowed the obtaining of scaffolds with rectangular pores and controlling of extrusion temperature promoted the formation of uniform filaments with high print quality. Additionally, the cytocompatibility assessment of the scaffolds revealed the terpolymer's potential for tissue engineering across a wide range of applications.